School NewsDistrict News

Come to our newest Scholastic Book Fair, "Enchanted Forest Book Fair: Let Your Imagination Grow!" October 29th - November 2nd. Click on the "Newspaper" below for more details or the >> for other events! VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

Come to our newest Scholastic Book Fair, "Enchanted Forest Book Fair: Let Your Imagination Grow!" October 29th - November 2nd. Click on the "Newspaper" below for more details or the >> for other events! VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

From The Principal

October 31, 2018

Dear Parents and Friends:

Thank you for helping us with all of the October events. The Fall Festival hosted by the Family Tree was a huge success, with such fun activities for the whole family. In addition, the Scholastic Book Fair and Mr. Titran’s art activities were also big hits. Next, came the Halloween celebration. It was a great event (as always) for staff, children and family members. The children always look forward with great anticipation to this day and they were not disappointed. With everyone pitching in to help, the classrooms were buzzing with activity and smiles. The parade was the culminating event and our students marched around the building with waves and greetings for their family members. All of the guests provided such support with lots of clapping and cameras snapping away. What a good time!

As part of our ongoing communication about our goals, I would like to share information with you about reading this month. As you know, this is the anchor for which all children gain understanding in all subject areas. Our staff provides a number of opportunities for their students to learn and practice reading with both narrative (stories) and informational/technical text. Both kinds of reading are very important and also require different skill sets for understanding. In addition, we also pay close attention to a child’s fluency level. Fluency has to do with the speed at which a child reads with comprehension. A child who labors through a passage as well as one who “flies” through the material may not come away with an understanding of the piece. As we work through the school year please talk with your child about what they were reading. Having them retell what they read in a sequenced order or have them read you a favorite story. During this month, the teachers focused on Narrative reading which includes many genres such as fables, fairy tales and creative fiction stories. The children have many opportunities to select books that become their new favorites.

Another big round of applause goes to all of the families who helped support the building cookie dough fundraiser. On behalf of the staff, I want to thank all of you who were able to participate. We certainly appreciate your efforts.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Linda Schneider-Rediske

REPORT CARDS

During November, Oakbrook will distribute reports cards electronically. The first marking period grades will be sent electronically to families after scheduled parent-teacher conferences at the end of the day on Friday, November 16, 2018.

To receive the report cards, parents will need to have a secure PowerSchool account. Parents who do not have access to a PowerSchool account will need to register for one prior to Friday, November 9. The report cards will then be automatically e-mailed to the address that is used to register the PowerSchool account. If you already have a PowerSchool account, you do not need to take any further action. The report card automatically will be sent to you electronically.

Please note that if you have students in junior high school and high school, the reports cards will be electronically sent by the end of the day, Friday, November 9, 2018.

We are committed to exemplary teaching and learning in order for our students to be prepared for success in the 21st Century. We will achieve this commitment by engaging the entire community to focus on every child’s achievement, with the expectation that every student will pursue some type of post-high school educational endeavor.

Parents should circle September 21 at 6:30 p.m. on their school calendars. On that night, Oakbrook Elementary will host its Open House. It is a great chance to hear about our plans for the year, meet your child's teacher, and make sure the school year gets off on a positive start. We look forward to seeing you there

Utica Community Schools is Michigan's second largest school district.

Student achievement in the district outpace all county, state and national averages. The district's graduation rate is 12 points higher than the state average and students are staff are regularly honored for excellence.

For more information on Utica Community Schools, please visit this link .